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25 Moms ID'd as Minors in Polygamy Probe

Families separated as probe into rogue Mormon sect continues

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 25, 2008 3:28 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Texas authorities have identified 25 more mothers from a polygamist ranch as underage girls, bringing the number of juveniles in custody to 460. The girls had initially claimed to be adults, Reuters reports. Officials are keeping hundreds of women and children from the polygamist compound in temporary custody in a rodeo stadium, under heavy guard.

Authorities dealing with the biggest child welfare case in Texan history have been moving children into foster homes all week and taking DNA samples in an attempt to straighten out the complex family relationships among sect members. There have been emotional scenes as families are pulled apart. Child welfare workers admit it's a tough job, but, one stressed, "these children have to be protected."

Ruth, right, 34, a mother of four and a member of the Fundamentalist Church of Christ of Latter Day Saints, recounts to members of the press her experience of being separated from her children .
Ruth, right, 34, a mother of four and a member of the Fundamentalist Church of Christ of Latter Day Saints, recounts to members of the press her experience of being separated from her children .   (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
The Tom Green County Courthouse is seen a dusk in San Angelo, Texas,April 17, 2008, where members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and others attend custody hearings
The Tom Green County Courthouse is seen a dusk in San Angelo, Texas,April 17, 2008, where members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and others attend custody hearings   (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Ruth, 31, a mother of 4 children, left rear, and Velvet, 31, center, a mother of one child who are all in state custody tell reporters how they were separated from their children.
Ruth, 31, a mother of 4 children, left rear, and Velvet, 31, center, a mother of one child who are all in state custody tell reporters how they were separated from their children.   (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
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40 more women choose shelter over returning to ranch
Houston Chronicle

Tearful mothers tell how their children were taken
Salt Lake Tribune

Polygamous sect challenges legality of raid
CNN

 
Texas • child abuse • polygamy • child welfare • Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints • Yearning for Zion ranch

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